New Game: Name That "GOP Senator"

Last night The Hill newspaper released an article with the title, "Palin beginning to irritate some Senate GOPers." Of course, all of the irritated "Senate GOPers" decided to hide behind a veil of anonymity when offering their criticism. During the campaign, there was a famous "Republican senator" who had no problem criticizing Governor Palin from behind the shadows. It was eventually agreed upon that it was Senator Mel Martinez from Florida doing the bashing. Last night's Hill article features three new "Republican senators" who have problems with Governor Palin. One, I believe, is pretty easy to figure out, the other two are a bit more tricky.

So, here is "Republican senator" number one:

“She has to hunker down and govern and show she’s not a joke,” said a GOP lawmaker who represents one of the southern battlegrounds of the 2012 election.

[...]

“[Democrats and the media] did a number on her,” said the lawmaker from the southern battleground. “She has some hurdles, especially among independents and Democrats.

“She lost support among the independents and moderate Republicans, and a lot of them give money,” the lawmaker added.

Too easy: Lindsey Graham.

South Carolina is the southern battleground and he loves those moderates, Independents and Democrats. He is also still upset that Palin was chosen as the vice presidential nominee over Joe Lieberman. This GOP senator could very well be Mel Martinez again, after all -- he does have the track record. (H/T Tommyreport)

Republican senator number two:

Another GOP senator, who endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) early in the 2008 primary, argues Palin would face a lot of difficulty raising money. He said she had little appeal among the major fundraisers who made up McCain’s financial base.

“I don’t see her being a candidate in 2012,” said the lawmaker. “I don’t think she has the financial base to run. I don’t think she can convert the McCain fundraisers to her camp.

“You need to be able to raise $500 million or you’re not even in the game. That tends to thin out the field fairly quickly. It’s tough coming from a [small] state like Alaska.”

My take on this Republican senator is: "too close to call." There are just so many Palin critics that I can't keep them straight anymore. Where were McCain's fundraisers when he was picking up his own luggage in airports during the primaries? If I recall correctly, it was Governor Palin's arrival as the vice presidential candidate that brought in millions of dollars in one day. Do we really want McCain's fundraisers?

Republican senator number three:

One GOP senator questioned whether Palin has enough gravitas for voters to trust her in tough economic times.

“If the economy implodes, I don’t see her as having much of a chance,” said the lawmaker, who noted that Palin’s national political ambitions have caused her political troubles at home. “She has also taken on water up there in Alaska.”

I don't recall Palin ever setting out any national political ambitions. But it is clear that this senator has some. Governor Palin has never stated that she will run for any national office, yet this GOP senator already feels the need to try and bring her down. She has more courage and gravitas than you, senator. I think that is clear based on your sniping from the shadows.

Palin had at least one supporter in the article:

A senior GOP lawmaker said that while Palin may not be taken seriously by some Washington elites, she remains wildly popular among blue-collar conservative voters.

“Her supporters relish the idea that she doesn’t have a lot of money; she could raise it in small amounts over the Internet like Barack Obama,” said the lawmaker. “She’s about the only person in our party who can draw a crowd.

“She appeals not just to social conservatives but also to a lot of blue-collar, working-class Republicans in my state,” he added.

“People in the Northeast who read The New York Times and went to elite colleges dismiss her, but a lot of people in the country like candidates who don’t like Washington and don’t speak with an affected accent.”

This one, in my opinion, could be one of two people: Jim DeMint or Tom Coburn.

Overall, I like the idea that Governor Palin irritates most of the Beltway Republicans. What have they offered to Republicans? What have they done? Nothing, nada, zilch. Governor Palin represents something that most Senate GOPers will never represent. She represents the grassroots. The people who work hard every day and just want to see a better country in the future. They don't care about your Beltway games. They don't see you as potential leaders. They see her as a leader.

Just think about it, Mr. Graham, you are a United States Senator, you sit on important committees and discuss judicial philosophy at Supreme Court nomination hearings. You are very important in your little D.C. world, but you mean nothing to the millions of Republicans outside of "the District." When you speak, nobody listens... nobody cares. We listen to people like Sarah Palin. Sure, she doesn't have the big time donors behind her, nor the Beltway establishment. But you know what? She has people like us, and that is something you will never have. So why don't you put your important name behind your criticisms next time? It would be beneficial for us because we will take what you say and do the exact opposite.

I also like the idea that Palin is not taken seriously by Washington elites but is a favorite of blue collar workers. It reminds me of somebody.

What is going on here is very clear. Governor Palin had an awesome weekend. She gave speeches throughout New York state where she attracted thousands of people (no Washington elites, I imagine). She attended a fundraiser that collected $400,000 for a good cause. Last night, as evidenced by the CNN live stream of the NRSC/NRCC, she was the absolute center of attention.

So guys, try to keep your jealousy to a minimum and go on doing whatever it is you do in your little minority in the United States Senate. Try working on getting Arlen Specter back, he appeals to Democrats!

Oh, and here is a reminder of how well these "Republican Senators" do their job (see that little dot in the far right corner, that is you, Lindsey Graham):